Blastoff Network

Thursday, April 24, 2008

Yes, I have on good authority (Mikael Hansson [a born-in-Sweden-Swede] to be exact) that today is International Hug A Swede Day.

This is long overdue, in light of all the Olle and Sven jokes out there and the Wally Walrus portrayals of Swedes. Ve need to rise up and be counted. And hugged, by golly! Yiminy Crickets, this is precisely the sort of thing that will show us as what we are; by and large a very huggable and lovable people with a proud heritage of hugging and such.

And who wouldn’t want to hug one or more of us? I know I like hugging Swedes. My girls are very huggy people, as is my Dad. However, since I outweigh and tower over nearly everyone on the immediately recognizable-as-a-Swede list, I am careful not to squash anyone. This could be an issue, believe me. If I were to lose my footing or carelessly grab and squeeze, somebody would get hurt. Crushing someone is less a display of affection and more of a display of aggression.

I am a Swede, by way of Texas City and Alvin, TX, but of Swedish lineage nonetheless. So if you see ME or my DAD, or any of my KIDS, give them a HUG.

And hurry. We’re running out of time for today. Of course, I may extend the celebration to a whole week, if necessary.

Where I come from, we called the rutabaga "swede". I am probably one of the few people in Texas who likes the taste of this lowly root crop. Give one a try, Geez; you might just like 'em better than J in the B tacos.

I am amazed at all the _______ Days or ________ Weeks that people or organizations come up with. Didja know that there is a National Pickle Day? What cha supposed to do, eat a buncha pickles, or just get pickled? Didja also know that there is actually a National Hairball Day? I'm not making this up. Google it and see for yourself. I have no idea how a person can celebrate National Hairball Day.